The increased use of disposable tableware over the last decade has drastically deteriorated the environment and planet sustainability. Plastic and other non-degradable tableware are causing alarming diseases, global warming, and extreme landfill pollution. Have you ever thought of disposable tableware as a natural fertilizer for soil remediation? Thankfully, compostable tableware became the safest eco-friendly alternative to single-time food packaging.
Biodegradable tableware nourishes the soil with 100% organic compost. Switching to eco-friendly tableware can reduce extreme climate change and deforestation on the planet. GangXuan China is the leading sugarcane bagasse disposable tableware manufacturer that delivers eco-friendly products globally.
If you are thinking of adopting “green living” to save the environment, this guide will help you to understand everything about compostable dining ware. Let’s have a look;
What is compostable tableware?
Biodegradable Disposable Tableware
Compostable tableware is a single-use dinnerware option that not only biodegrades on its own and becomes nutrient-rich plant compost after decomposing. Compostable plates and cutlery are made with different eco-friendly raw material which decomposes and nourishes the soil after disposal. Manufacturing of compostable products does not involve CO2 and greenhouse gasses emission. These products are made with 100% organic matter; therefore, compostable disposable tableware is non-toxic and chemical-free.
Moreover, biodegradable tableware is durable, highly resistant, and non-static. Disposable compostable dinnerware products reduce wastage, protect the ecosystem, and ensure environmental sustainability. Thus, compostable products are the perfect substitute for disposable Styrofoam products.
What is compostable tableware made of?
Compostable products are not specified to a single plant or natural resource. There is a variety of natural materials that are used to manufacture compostable plates and cups. All the raw materials have different manufacturing processes, eco-friendly features, and durability. Let’s find out some of the most common materials used for crafting compostable tableware.
Sugarcane Bagasse:
Sugarcane Bagasse
Sugarcane bagasse is the top choice for manufacturing compostable products because of its overall eco-friendliness.
Bagasse is the waste raw material that is collected when juice is removed from the sugarcane. Sugarcane pulp is processed into hot pressing equipment to prepare compostable and sustainable tableware. Sugarcane is a waste by-product that is completely tree-free. Sugarcane tableware is made from organic material that is rapidly renewable and does not demand any finite resource. The regrowth of the sugarcane plant only takes 10-18 months, making it the best eco-friendly tableware option.
Sugarcane bagasse tableware completely decomposes into plant compost within 90 days of disposal. Moreover, the manufacturing of sugarcane pulp products is 100% carbon offset. It concludes that switching to sugarcane bagasse tableware can reduce deforestation, waste disposal, global warming, and GHG emission.
Palm Leaf:
Palm leaf tableware is common biodegradable tableware that can be used instead of disposable paper plates. Palm leaf products are made of dried leaves that fall out of the tree. Palm leaf is harmless organic material that has hundreds of health benefits. The manufacturing of palm leaf products is tree-free and does not include toxic binders, chemicals, and resins. The palm leaf is the sustainable, compostable, and 100% pollution-free tableware option. It does not demand cutting and timbering trees. However, the tableware made of palm leaves is less-sturdy and resistant. Their holding capacities and durability are low due to their fine structure and lightweight.
Birchwood:
Birchwood is also used to manufacture compostable plates, bowls, and tableware products. The thin wood fibers are used to prepare the disposable tableware. It is completely compostable, biodegradable, and chemical-free. Birchwood products only take 70-80 days to decompose into nutrient-rich compost. The Birchwood compost is beneficial for soil restoration. However, cutting trees for single-time usage tableware is not environmentally friendly. Deforestation leaves an incurable carbon footprint, degrading the atmosphere and climate severely.
Bamboo:
Biodegradable tableware and related products are also made of bamboo trees. The raw material of this specific type of tableware is a bamboo sheath. The upper sheath of the bamboo tree is shed after the plant matures. The sheath is converted into disposable bamboo tableware with the help of hot pressing and molding. The bamboo plant is a certified organic and renewable resource. Bamboo is biodegradable disposable tableware but composting takes up to 6 months. Therefore, bamboo tableware is only compostable in an industrial facility with proper high temperature and humidity.
Advantages of compostable tableware for green nature:
In the alarming pollution and climate heating condition, it is necessary to choose eco-friendly products to save the planet. Compostable tableware is the best option to protect the ecosystem because of its outstanding benefits. Let’s discover some nature-friendly advantages of biodegradable dine-ware products;
Nourishes the soil:
Plastic and Styrofoam disposable products take decades to decompose, leaving the landfills and oceans polluted. However, compostable single-time tableware can be used as organic compost for plants. It decomposes into nutritious matter in 45-90 days without releasing harmful chemicals into the soil.
Non-toxic:
Unlike plastic and Styrofoam, biodegradable tableware is made of 100% natural resources and does not discharge carcinogens and neurotoxins after contact with heat. Moreover, the entire manufacturing process does not contain any chemical coating.
Pollution-free:
The disposal and non-degradable items are hazardous to wildlife and aquatic life. Similarly, cutting trees for bamboo and paper products degrades the natural habitat. Therefore, biodegradable disposable tableware is tree-free and causes zero pollution.
Made from renewable resources:
Compostable cutlery products are made of rapidly renewable resources such as bagasse and palm leaves. It is made of waste by-products and takes less time to regrow. Furthermore, the manufacturing process of compostable tableware is a fossil fuel free.
Carbon and GHG offset:
Compostable products are 100% carbon and greenhouse gases offset. The production of biodegradable tableware maintains CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.
How to compost biodegradable tableware correctly?
Compostable products are reliable, non-damaging, and sustainable, but customers often ask how to compost eco-friendly tableware correctly. Different compostable materials have different composting processes and temperature requirements. Let’s figure it out.
- Compostable tableware like bagasse and palm leaf is compostable in both home and commercial settings. However, home composting takes more time than industrial composting.
- Bamboo and wood tableware products are only compostable in the industrial setting under high temperatures and pressure. Similarly, recycling paper products also have many conditions.
Why sugarcane bagasse is the best compostable tableware?
Benefits of Sugarcane Bagasse
Sugarcane bagasse tableware is renowned for its exceptional health, eco-friendly, and durable benefits. Let’s find out why sugarcane bagasse tableware is superior to other sustainable tableware options. Here we go;
- Sugarcane tableware manufacturing is 100% carbon and GHG offset. Expanding sugarcane production can reduce carbon emissions. Therefore, it is the best compostable eco-friendly material.
- Unlike bamboo and cork, bagasse tableware is easily compostable in a home setting within 90 days.
- Despite eco-friendly benefits, sugarcane compostable tableware is highly temperature resistant. Their thermal capacity is 220°C.
- The sugarcane bagasse tableware is microwave-friendly, refrigerator safe, and anti-spillage.
- Sugarcane products are the best alternative to disposable food packaging because they do not release any harmful toxins such as BPA, dioxins, or vinyl chloride.
- Unlike bamboo, the manufacturing of sugarcane tableware does not involve toxin binders, melamine resins, and coating.
- The sugarcane fibers are prepared at high temperatures to make highly sturdy, durable, and anti-leak tableware products.
- Unlike bamboo and paper dinnerware, bagasse products do not discharge formaldehyde and BPA when heated or microwaved.
- Sugarcane bagasse tableware is available in natural or white color with an aesthetic look and smooth texture.
The bleached sugarcane bagasse products are chlorine-free. The tableware is bleached with hydrogen peroxide and oxygen.
Leading compostable tableware manufacturer—GangXuan China:
GangXuan is the top-priority eco friendly sugarcane bagasse tableware supplier that offers wholesale party packs at a market-competitive price range. GangXuan factory is located in Guangxi, with over 330 qualified employees currently employed in the new factory. Our new factory has a building area of 18,000 sq. ft and is in the first phase of production with advanced machinery and certified processes. We have 870 tons per month production capacity.
GangXuan offers a wide range of environmentally friendly tableware sets, including plates, bowls, cups, trays, and cutlery. We proudly claim that our bagasse products are 100% compostable, low-cost, and sturdy. GangXuan has all quality assurance certifications like OK COMPOST, ISO9001, BRC, and FDA. We offer 100% grammage and customization services to our customers. For further assistance and quotation services, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are disposable paper plates eco-friendly?
Paper plates are the most famous single-time used products in party and events. Recyclable and degradable paper products are a better option than plastic; however, paper tableware is not an eco-friendly option. Paper production involves cutting trees, which causes deforestation. Cutting trees increases the amount of GHG and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; resulting in climate breakdown. Moreover, paper decomposition emits methane gas, which is far more devastating than carbon dioxide.
Is compostable tableware better than recyclable products?
Although both types of products are designed to reduce landfill and ocean pollution; however, compostable products are more nature friendly than recycled products. Reusable products require energy resources to decompose and re-make products. On the other hand, compostable products degrade and benefit the soil with organic material. Therefore, compostable tableware products are a better eco friendly option than recyclable tableware.
